James R. Gaddis

Jim Gaddis, born in 1940, ranks among the few skiers in the Intermountain Area who earned elite status on and off the competitive scene. His skiing prowess won him Intermountain Division Ski Racer of the Year honors four times, and the division’s slalom, downhill, and giant slalom champion five times. He was co-captain of the University of Utah ski team, was named to the NCAA All-American Ski Team, and won the NCAA Alpine Combined title twice. He also won the NCAA slalom, the U.S. giant slalom Championships, and the Snow Cup. 

In 1964 he founded one of Utah’s first racing programs for the development of junior racers, the touted Gaddis Training Organization (GTO) which later became the Park City Racing Team. He was coach of the Intermountain Division Junior National Ski Team from 1970-1976 and guest coach for the U.S. Ski Team Training Camps. 

Jim volunteered his time  to numerous ski-related organizations, including the Alpine Site Selection Committee for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. He also served on the Alf Engen Ski Museum Foundation board, and founded and served on the boards of the Utah Ski Racers Foundation, the University of Utah J. Willard Marriott Library’s Ski Archives, and the Youth Winter Sports Alliance.

He was inducted into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame and the University of Utah Crimson Club Sports Hall of Fame in 1989.